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Yesterday, the Illinois State Board of Education began hearings as the first step in determining next year's proposed budget. These hearings provide us an opportunity to help shape the early childhood proposal in the upcoming budget. Please join us *virtually* in requesting a $50 million increase to the Early Childhood Block Grant for Fiscal Year 2022.


One important lesson emerging from this ongoing pandemic is the essential nature of the work performed by professionals throughout the early childhood system -- please join us and other advocates in calling on ISBE to make significant investments in the early childhood workforce in Fiscal Year 2022.


A $50 million increase to the Early Childhood Block Grant would support making real progress towards compensation parity with school-based settings for teachers and staff providing ECBG services in community-based settings. This increase would also expand access to infant and early childhood mental health consultation services for providers. Finally, we know that programs are also experiencing other budgetary pressures in delivering services due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since we don’t yet know when or how services will fully return to “normal,” it is important that programs are allowed access to more flexible funds to cover cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment, or the needed tools for remote learning.


This year, there are two ways to participate in ISBE’s budget hearings.
1. Submit your funding request: Complete and submit
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ISBE’s FY 2022 Funding Request Form . This step must be completed prior to registering to speak at a hearing. Written requests must be received by ISBE no later than Oct. 21.
2. Sign up to testify: After completing your funding request, you can also sign-up to testify at one of the budget hearings. You must sign up if you wish to speak at a hearing so that you can be included in the official schedule for the meeting. You must also register prior to the hearing if you choose to be a “listener.” Registration links are included below.To help make this process as easy as possible, the Early Childhood Funding Coalition has developed
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suggested talking points and
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instructions for signing up to testify .

Upcoming Budget Hearings

You can submit your testimony and funding request form
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here

October 14th | 1-4pm

Registration deadline: 11:59 p.m., Oct. 11

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Go To Meeting Link

October 16th | 1-4pm

Registration deadline: 11:59 p.m., Oct. 11

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Go To Meeting Link

mailto:[email protected]?subject=ISBE%20Budget%20Hearings
Contact us if you plan to testify or have questions. Thank you for speaking up for children and families across the state!






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33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60603 - 312.922.3863


(c)2020 Start Early


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